Indonesia’s Quality of Life: A Global Benchmark

5 min read|Last Updated: August 14, 2024|

Every country in the world has a different level of quality of life. The quality of life which is present in a certain country provides evidence of the overall condition of the general population with regard to the nation’s:

  • Health issues
  • Socioeconomic well-being
  • Overall gross domestic product (GDP)

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), the quality of life of any country can be affected by such matters as:

  • Local perceptions
  • Cultural Values
  • Beliefs

The primary set of rankings that determines the level of quality of life in a certain country is the Human Development Index (HDI). The HDI was created and is monitored by the United Nations. According to the latest HDI rankings, quality of life in Indonesia was ranked joint-116th in the world with a score of 0.694 out of a possible 1. This ranking and score also meant that Indonesia was ranked as a country with medium human development. Among the countries which have similar levels of quality of life to that of Indonesia are:

  • Egypt
  • Vietnam
  • South Africa
  • Bolivia

Although the Quality of Living City Ranking which was created by Mercer serves to measure the quality of life in cities rather than countries, Indonesia’s capital city of Jakarta was one of the cities mentioned in the rankings. It ranked 142nd out of 231 cities around the world. Other cities which have similar levels of quality of life to that of Jakarta are:

  • Nanjing, China
  • Hyderabad, India
  • Gaborone, Botswana
  • Belgrade, Serbia

Areas of Quality of Life in Indonesia Which Ranks Favourably

1. Health services quality

One of the areas of quality of life in Indonesia which has made obvious improvements can be seen in the health services’ quality in the country. Indonesia has a national health scheme which is referred to as JKN. JKN was specifically designed to cater to the country’s population of 255 million in order to raise the overall health standards of Indonesia. The government of Indonesia has also been working on improving the general health of poorer people in the country through the use of Universal Health Coverage (UHC) Policies.

2. Food security & economic conditions

These are another two areas of life quality in which Indonesia ranks highly. Food manufacturing industries and processing factories have been established throughout the country to increase the country’s food supply. In terms of the country’s economic situation, job security has improved while the wealth creation parity gap has shrunk.

3. Economic growth

The country has also experienced consistent economic growth. The rise in the country’s economic might bodes well for the country’s future because it allows the government to devise more comprehensive plans to improve Indonesia’s economic situation.

4. Quality of education

Although Indonesia has been consistently reducing the overall illiteracy level of the country, the quality of education, especially that of tertiary education in Indonesia, is relatively low. Many universities across the country do not provide an adequate level of educational content. Thus, many students in Indonesia’s universities are unable to attain superior academic results.

Furthermore, many doctorates that have been awarded by Indonesian universities are believed to have been tarnished by an extremely high level of plagiarism among graduates.

5. Natural disasters

Indonesia is also vulnerable to natural disasters such as earthquakes and volcanic eruptions. Such disasters go some way to reducing the quality of life in Indonesia as it affects the country’s ability to develop its infrastructure.

How the Indonesian Government Attempts to Improve the Overall Quality of Life in Indonesia

The Indonesian government has attempted to improve quality of life in Indonesia through participation in many international trade and business organisations. The government has been working to stabilise the inflation rates as well as increase the size of the job market. The Indonesia government is also committed to growing the:

  • Country’s economy
  • Improving health facilities
  • Raising the standard of education

The government has also attempted to reduce the cost of access to adequate health and education services, which would in turn reduce the cost of living in the country. The Indonesian government has always prioritised the creation of a peaceful and stable political system to ensure that regular operations are maintained at all times.

Evidence of Improvements in Quality of Life in Indonesia

Improvements in quality of life in Indonesia can be seen in several ways.

1. Increasing GDP per capita

One of the most obvious proofs of quality of life improvement in Indonesia is its increasing GDP per capita. The country has had a steadily rising GDP per capita with a much more impressive US$3,932 today. The country’s government has made robust investments in many sectors.

As a result, the country’s economy grew by 5.2% in 2018. The Indonesian government has also done much to raise the standards of infrastructural development in the country. It has also created numerous social assistance programs to improve both the educational sector and the health sector.

Conclusion

As one of the largest countries in the world, quality of life in Indonesia is particularly important issue. This is because a low quality of life there would cause far more people to suffer than would be the case in smaller countries. Among the chief problems that inhibit quality of life in Indonesia are those of natural disasters. Due to its location, Indonesia is often afflicted by natural disasters such as:

  • Volcanic eruptions
  • Tsunamis
  • Earthquakes

These disasters significantly reduce the quality of life of the country’s citizens. Other challenges include access to adequate:

  • Health services
  • Unpredictable weather conditions
  • Low quality of education at higher learning institutions.

Nevertheless, the government has been working to ensure that such issues are handled appropriately so as to improve the general quality of life in Indonesia.

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FAQs

Is there any correlation between a country’s GDP and its quality of life?2020-04-02T15:20:59+08:00

There is a strong correlation between a country’s quality of life and its GDP. This is to be expected because a country which is able to find economic success will be able to better provide for its citizens. The ability to adequately provide for citizens is a factor which positively affects quality of life. Furthermore, an improved GDP can lead to developments in areas such as infrastructure as well as access to health facilities. These advantages will also improve the quality of life in a country.

Do many people leave Indonesia to seek a better quality of life?2020-04-02T15:20:22+08:00

Not many people leave Indonesia in search of a superior quality of life. Most Indonesians would rather move from rural to urban areas of the country when they seek a better quality of life. The country’s capital city of Jakarta is one of the cities with a relatively high quality of life by Indonesian standards. Nevertheless, any person who desires a better quality of life and has the means to relocate may move to any suitable location.

What factors determine the level of quality of life in a country?2020-04-02T15:19:31+08:00

The factors that determine quality of life in any country depend on the specific criteria involved. However, in most cases, the factors which indicate the level of quality of life in a country are tied to infrastructural development within the country. Among the other measures linked to quality of life are urbanization level, educational standards, security standards, and the citizens’ ability to partake in leisure activities. Changes in a country’s economic conditions, increases or decreases in GDP, and employment rates also have much influence on the lives of citizens of a country. Housing, life expectancy, and distribution of income are also determinants of a country’s quality of life.

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